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NTIS

01/01/1988

Collation

45 pages

Abstract

The transport of microorganisms in soils is of major importance for bioremediation of subsurface polluted zones. A procedure for evaluating the relative mobility and recovery of bacteria in the soil matrix was developed. Nineteen bacterial strains were selected that differed in their ability to be transported through soils. Measurements were made of sorption partition coefficient, hydrophobicity, net surface electrostatic charge, zeta potential, cell size, encapsulation, and flagellation of the cells. Only sorption and cell length were correlated with transport of the bacteria through soil. The breakthough curves for Pseudomonas sp. KL2 moving through a column packed with a sandy aquifer material were determined. Ionic strength of the inflowing solution, bacterial density, and velocity of water flow were found to have an effect on breakthrough.